RULES by Cynthia Lord

RULES, by Cynthia Lord, is her first novel, though Ms Lord has been writing since she was four years old, writing fiction since she was in high school. Catherine, the main character, is a 12-year-old who has an autistic younger brother, David. Author Ms Lord and her husband have two children, one of whom is an autistic boy.

Catherine’s life is greatly affected by David. When you get to the end of the book, you can decide for yourself whether it is better or worse because of David. (This is my favorite kind of question – one that has no right or wrong answer!) A new family next door, with a girl Catherine’s age, gives Catherine the possibility of a new friend – and the complications that brings into her life. Jason, a boy who comes for therapy to the same clinic David goes to, also becomes a friend. This is surprising, because Jason’s handicap prevents him from talking.

You’ll find this book in the Irene Sweetkind Public Library. It won’t take you long to zip through it, and I hope you will read it. Let’s talk about it when you’re through with it.

Ms Dorothy